Skills Gap at Heart of IU, Microsoft Partnership
(Image courtesy of Indiana University)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana University’s Kelley School of Business is partnering with a big name on a new online program focused on high-demand fields. The collaboration with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) involves a 12-hour dual certification in cloud-based analytics. Participants in the year-long program will use curriculum from Microsoft’s Professional Program and credits could go toward other online IU Kelley degrees.
Executive Degree Programs Faculty Chair Rich Magjuka tells Inside INdiana Business he sees potential for additional partnerships with Microsoft. "I don’t know how it will unfold over the next few years, but Microsoft is working really, really hard to figure out additional applications and when we do," he says, "we want to be there with them to help teach our students how to deftly use their tools while furthering the goals of the IT operations within their companies."
The university and company say the certificate will help graduates boost their value to employers in high-demand fields like cloud-based computing architects and developers. The company says it is a model collaboration.
Microsoft Senior Director of Worldwide Go-to-Market and Product Strategy Chris Roy calls it a "unique" approach. He says "this is an exciting opportunity to partner with Indiana University, a category leader in high-quality, blended learning, who will provide a challenging and focused curriculum that will better equip students entering the workforce. The leaders at the Kelley School of Business share our goal of addressing the current skills gap in the global economy with new and unique approaches."
Kelley School Dean Idie Kesner says "we look forward to working with our colleagues at Microsoft to generate real career momentum for students increasing their value with a certificate in cloud-based analytics." The certificate, IU says, will equip graduates with skills and knowledge with the Microsoft Azure platform, as well as applying underlying concepts in a business environment.
IU Kelley Executive Degree Programs Faculty Chair Rich Magjuka tells Inside INdiana Business he sees potential for additional partnerships with Microsoft.